2013/7/EU: Council Decision of 3 December 2012 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on the protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs

• Articles: 4

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on the protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs (the ‘Agreement’) and the Declaration attached thereto are hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

Article 2

The Commission shall represent the Union in the Joint Committee set up pursuant to Article 11 of the Agreement (the ‘Joint Committee’).

Modifications to the Agreement through decisions of the Joint Committee shall be approved by the Commission on behalf of the Union.

Where interested parties cannot reach a common position following objections relating to a geographical indication, the Commission shall adopt such a position in accordance with the examination procedure laid down in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers  ( 2 ) . In doing so, the Commission shall be assisted by either of the following, depending on the products covered by the geographical indications concerned:

(a)

the Standing Committee on Protected Geographical Indications and Protected Designations of Origin established by Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs  ( 3 ) ;

(b)

the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets established by Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation)  ( 4 ) ; or

(c)

the Committee for Spirit Drinks established by Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of spirit drinks  ( 5 ) .

Article 3

The President of the Council shall designate the person(s) empowered to give, on behalf of the Union, the notification provided for in Article 14 of the Agreement.

Article 4

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.